Thursday, June 28, 2018

Lifting the Landscape: Christopher Curtis

The work of renowned artist Christopher Curtis will be featured at Tulsa Botanic Garden’s first sculpture exhibit March 17 through August 26.

Curtis works primarily in stone and he often incorporates sculptural welded stainless steel or bronze into his pieces. He began working with stone under the instruction of Paul Aschenbach at the University of Vermont. Though Curtis employs current technology in his work, his abiding fascination is with raw stone. He sees in each stone both its ancient history and its unique shape.

See and hear how Chris creates his art in the video below. Special thanks to Sculpturesite Gallery and Scott Saraceno (owners) for permission to share.

“I begin not with quarried blocks but with raw stones as they are found in nature,” says Curtis, “Each one, with its time-honed patina, tells a story of a very long personal past. The stones pass through the present very quickly and, with altered identities, continue their journeys into an unimaginably long future.”

For Curtis, stones are objects, not just material. That makes the discovery, selection and recovery of the stone an important and enjoyable part of his work. Curtis has studied the geologic history of his native Vermont, following the ancient lines of glaciers and inland seas to find stones whose stories resonate with the sculptures they become.

“I am interested in the peculiar intersection of the past and the future,” Curtis adds, “Cross-cultural and time independent archetypes are the universal symbols that capture and express this phenomenon in the present. My work is about expressing these eternal truths in physical form.”

The exhibit includes a total of 15 pieces set around the Garden's lake. All pieces are available for sale and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Botanic Garden.

Christopher Curtis’ work is represented in over 250 private collections in the U.S. In addition, he has many significant public commissions, including among others: the U.S. Federal Reserve, Washington, DC; Red Rocks Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada; Reservoir Woods, Waltham, Massachusetts; University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock; and the U.S. Embassy, Copenhagen, Denmark. Curtis works from his studio in Stowe, Vermont.

Lifting the Landscape is sponsored by donors including James and Cherry Bost, Frank and Gayle Eby, Burt B. Holmes, and The Ruskin Art Club.

Meet Christopher at a Reception on Sunday, August 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Garden's Mabee Grange. RSVP to info@tulsabotanic.org or 918-289-0330.

International Mud Day

Thursday, June 28, 2018 - 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Come play in the dirt! Making mud pies and getting dirty is what it’s all about. Wear clothes and water shoes for getting dirty. A rinse area will be available. Bring water shoes, towel and a change of clothes. The Pophouse will be here from 1 to 3 pm. selling their delicious popsicles for a cool treat.

Tulsa Botanic Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with extended hours on Thursdays 9 am to 9pm from June to August. Watch the calendar for special events and times! (You can also follow us on Facebook for event updates and more.)

Admission prices are FREE for Garden members; $8 for ages 13+; $4 for ages 3–12. Children 2 and under are free. For map/directions, click here. For more information call 918-289-0330.

Mud Night

Thursday, June 28, 2018 - 5:00pm to 8:00pm

We're extending our Mud Day activities into the evening! Come out between 5 and 8 p.m. for some good, clean (ha!) fun. Make mud-pies, mud angels or just dip your toes. All ages are welcome. Free with regular admission. An outside rinse station will be available. Bring water shoes, a change of clothes and plastic bag. For more information, call 918-289-0330.

Tulsa Botanic Garden is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours - 9 am to 9 pm on Thursdays in June, July and August. Admission is free for Garden members; $8 for ages 13+, $4 for ages 3-12. Children 2 and under are free. For more information, call 918-289-0330. Dog are ONLY allowed during specified Dog friendly events.